Wedding Drink Calculator

A standard 750ml wine bottle contains 5 glasses at a 5-oz pour per glass. For wedding service where pours may be slightly more generous, plan 4–5 glasses per bottle. The calculator uses 5 glasses per bottle. If you pour 6 oz glasses, plan for 4 glasses per bottle and adjust upward by 25%. Bottles of sparkling wine for toasts typically yield 6–7 smaller (3–4 oz) toast pours.

The calculator plans 1 bottle per 5 guests for the toast. A 750ml bottle of champagne or prosecco pours approximately 5 full 5-oz glasses, or 6–7 smaller toast flutes (3–4 oz). Having one bottle per 5 guests provides a slight buffer. You can use less expensive prosecco for the toast — most guests appreciate the gesture regardless of the sparkling wine's price point.

Beer and wine only bars are entirely appropriate for weddings and can reduce your bar budget by 30–50%. They are simpler to staff (no bartender training required for specialty cocktails), have less variance in consumption, and reduce intoxication risk. If spirits are important to your guests or your wedding culture, a limited signature cocktail plus beer and wine splits the difference between full open bar and beer/wine only.

Many wholesale retailers and some liquor stores allow returns of unopened alcohol with receipt, particularly if purchased for a single event. Policies vary by state and retailer — always confirm the return policy before purchasing. This is one of the main advantages of buying more than the estimate (plus 10–15% buffer) rather than under-purchasing. Common returnable retailers include Costco, BJ's Wholesale, and many regional liquor store chains.

For a completely non-alcoholic wedding, set the alcohol percentage to 0% and remove beer/wine from consideration. Plan 2 drinks per guest per hour at a dry reception since guests consume non-alcoholic beverages at a higher rate when no alcohol is available. Focus on variety: sparkling water, multiple juices, mocktail stations, infused waters, lemonade, and specialty non-alcoholic sparkling wines for the toast.

Industry standard is 1 bartender per 50 guests for a full open bar. For beer and wine only service, 1 bartender per 75 guests is sufficient. For a 100-guest wedding, plan 2 bartenders for a full open bar or 1–2 for beer and wine. Having 2 bartenders also means coverage for breaks. For a cocktail hour, a separate roaming server with a tray of pre-poured wine and champagne can supplement the main bar station.

The most effective cost-saving strategies are: (1) buy through wholesale clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) rather than retail liquor stores — savings of 20–40% are typical; (2) choose beer and wine only instead of a full open bar; (3) use house wine rather than brand-name labels — quality varies less than price suggests; (4) limit the bar to 1–2 signature cocktails rather than a full spirits menu; (5) purchase the exact calculated quantity plus 10% and confirm the retailer's return policy for unopened bottles.

The calculator estimates 1.5 lbs of ice per guest, which covers chilling beverages in buckets and coolers, ice for cocktails on the rocks, and maintaining cold temperatures throughout the reception. For outdoor summer weddings or receptions exceeding 5 hours, increase this to 2 lbs per guest. Purchase ice in 10–20 lb bags from a grocery store or gas station, or arrange delivery from a wholesale ice supplier for very large events.

Professional bartenders are strongly recommended for weddings for several reasons: they control pour sizes (reducing over-consumption and waste), ensure proper responsible service of alcohol, create a more polished experience, and allow guests to focus on celebrating rather than managing their own drinks. Many venues require professional bartenders for liability reasons. Budget approximately $150–250 per bartender for a 6-hour event plus tips.